Trapezius Muscle Activity of Cash Register Work Compared to Department Work in the Supermarket

The MyoElectric (ME) activity from the trapezius muscle in 24 female supermarket employees doing cash register work were evaluated and compared to department work in the supermarket. The result shows that the cash register work typically is of a more static nature than the other tasks tested. Contrary to what was anticipated there were no major difference in the subject's ability to find muscle rest when doing work at the various departments at the supermarket compared to working at the cash register, however large individual differences were observed. The results indicates, that by introducing job rotation, where the cash register work is mixed with other work in the supermarket, the cashiers may be able to break the long-standing static activation of the neck and shoulder region and possibly prevent neck and shoulder pain to develop.